Reel control system



March 25, 19 2 A. J. WINCHESTER, JR., ETAL 2,590,666

REEL CONTROLSYSTEM Filed April 26, 1949 23 INVENTORS WITNESSES:

Amos J. Wmchester, Jr. 8

William 0. Kin 4wam 277 A Patented Mar. 25, 1952 REEL CONTROL SYSTEM Amos J. Winchester, J12, Pittsburgh, Pa., and William D. King, Buffalo, N. Y., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 26, 1949, Serial No. 89,684

9 Claims.

Our invention relates, generally, to reel control systems, and it has reference, in particular, to a control system for use with dynamo-electric machines used with reel devices for windin and/or unwinding a strip of material or the like.

More specifically, it is an object of our invention to provide a reel control system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and is reliable and effective in operation.

More specifically, it is an object of our invention to provide, in a reel control system, for transfer-ring effectively from a threading operation to a winding operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide, in a control system for a reel device, for normally regulating for a constant value of reel motor armature current, and yet regulate for a predetermined reel speed during a threading operation.

It is also an object of our invention to provide, in a reel control system, for initially operating a generator supplying electrical energy to a reel motor to maintain a predetermined reel speed, and for subsequently connecting a regulating generator to control the output of the aforesaid generator to maintain a predetermined value of reel motor armature current.

It is an important object of our invention to provide, in a reel motor control system, for transferring the connections of regulating field winding of a generator supplying electrical energy to the motor in accordance with a load condition of the reel motor after the reel motor is started.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide for transferring the control of a generator supplying electrical energy to a reel motor in accordance with load conditions of the motor, and yet prevent a transfer from taking place when the load conditions occur during a period of acceleration or deceleration of the mill.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be explained hereinafter.

In practicing our invention in one of its forms, a dynamo-electric machine connected in driving relation with a reel device operates in one direction as a reel motor and in the other direction as drag or braking generator, as a strip of material is either wound onto the reel device or unwound therefrom. Electrical energy is supplied to the armature of the dynamo-electric machine from a generator whose output is controlled during a winding operation by a regulating generator which is responsive to the armature current of the dynamo-electric machine. The field excitation of the dynamo-electric machine is regulated by a regulating generator which is responsive to both the speed of the mill and of the dynamo-electric machine, and which controls a motor operated rheostat in the field circuit of the dynamo-electric machine so as to regulate for an E. M. F. proportional to mill speed. Initially, the output voltage of the control generator is determined by a threading speed rheostat which'connects the field winding of the generator to a source of excitation. A load responsive transfer relay and a time delay relay cooperate to transfer the control of the generator from the threading speed rheostat to the regulating generator a predetermined time after the mill is started and when load is applied by the strip being threaded on the reel device.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of our invention, reference may be made to the following detailed description, which may be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a rolling mill illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral [0 may denote, generally, a control system for a dynamo-electric machine l2 which may be connected in driving relation with a reel device 13 for functioning either as a reel motor or a drag generator in winding or unwinding a strip of material l5 which is being worked upon by the rolls [6 of a reversing mill designated generally by the numeral H3.

The rolls 18 of the mill l8 may be driven by a mill motor 26, comprising an armature 20a and a field winding 26312. The field winding 2% may be energized from a suitable source of excitation represented by the conductors 22 and 23, through one section 24a of a master rheostat 2a, which controls the speed of the mill.

The armature ZSa'may be supplied with electrical energy from a main generator 25 comprising, an armature 25a, a series compounding or commutating field winding 25?) and a main field winding 25c. The armature 255a may be connected in circuit relation with the armature 26a of the mill motor and the compounding field winding 25?) through suitable switch means represented by the switch 21. The main field winding 250 may be connected between the conductors 22 and 23 through a pair of forward and reverse control switches 29 and (it and a section 23b of the master rheostat 23.

The dynamo-electric machine 12 may comprise an armature 12a and a field winding 12b. The

field winding 121) may be energized from the conductors 22 and 23 through a rheostat 32 provided with an operating motor 33 having an armature 33a and a field winding 33b. The field winding 33b may be connected to the conductors 22 and 23.

In order to provide for controlling the energization of the field winding i212 of the dynamo-electric machine l2 to maintain a value of counter E. M. F. which is proportional to the mill speed under the difierent speed conditions at which the dynamo-electric machine l2 operates, means such as the regulating generator 35 may be provided for supplying electrical energy to the armature 33a of the rheostat motor 33.

The regulating generator 35 may comprise, an armature 35a, a shunt type self-energizing field winding 3517, a series field winding 350, an IR drop compensating field winding 35d. a voltage field winding 35e and a pattern field winding 35f.

The pattern field winding 35f may be energized from a pilot generator 38 connected in driving relation with the mill motor 20 for operating the rheostat motor in a direction such as to strengthenthe field of the dynamo-electric machine l2.

The voltage field winding 35c and the IR drop compensating field winding 35d may be connected across the armature I20: and across a resistor 40 in the armature circuit for the dynamo-electric machine l2, respectively, in order to produce an indication of the counter E. M. F. or speed of the dynamo-electric machine 12.

Since the direction of the pattern field winding 35 will reverse when the mill is reversed, and the direction of the armature current remains the same while the terminal voltage of the dynamo-electric machine l2 reverses, the armature connections between the regulating generator 35 and the rheostat motor 33 may be reversed by the switches 29 and 30 so as to maintain the pattern field always in the direction to strengthen the field of the dynamo-electric machine I2.

Electrical energy may be supplied to the armature [2a of the dynamo-electric machine [2 when the machine is operating as a reel motor, from a generator 42 comprising, an armature 42, a separately excited field winding 42b and a regulating field winding 420. The armature 42a may be connected in series circuit relation with the armature l2a, and the field winding 42b may be energized from the conductors 22 and 23, through a field rheostat 43, which may be operatively connected with the master rheostat 24.

Operation of the master rheostat 24 may be effected by means of a rheostat motor 44 comprising, an armature 44a and field windings 44b and 440 disposed to be selectively connected to the conductors 22 and 23 through raise and "lower push-button switches 46 and 41, respectively.

In order to provide for energizing the regulating field winding 420, a regulating generator 50 may be utilized to regulate for a constant value of motor armature current. The regulating generator 50 comprises, an armature 50a, an antihunt field winding a series type field winding 500, a current responsive field winding 50d, a pattern field winding 50c and an inertia compensating field winding SW.

The pattern field winding 50c may be energized from the conductors 22 and 23, through a potentiometer device 52 adjustable to maintain different values of armature current in the dynamo-electric machine [2. The current field winding 50d may be connected differentially with respect to the pattern field winding 50c being, for example, connected across the resistor 40 in the armature circuit of the dynamo-electric machine l2. The inertia compensating field winding 50) may be energized from the conductors 22 and 23, through a bridge circuit of resistors 55 disposed to be unbalanced through operation of the raise and lower push-button switches 46 and 41 so as to be selectively differential or cumulative with respect to the pattern field winding 50c in order to maintain a more constant value of tension during change in speed of the mill.

In order to prevent the current regulating generator 42 from attempting to regulate for a predetermined value of armature current before the strip 15 is wound on the reel 13, control means such as the transfer relay 56, having operating windings 51 and 58, may be provided for normally connecting the regulating field winding 420 to the conductors 22 and 23 through a threading speed rheostat 45. The operating windings 5'! and 58 may be so disposed that the relay operates upon energization of either one of the field windings, and cannot be moved from its operative position so long as either one of the windings remains energized.

With a view to transferring the connections of the regulating field winding 420 when the strip i5 is wrapped on the reel 13, a transfer control relay (in may be provided having an operating winding 6| which may be energized in accordance with the armature current of the dynamo-electric machine 12. A time delay relay 63 having an operating winding 64, may be provided for interrupting the energizing circuit of the transfer control relay 60 for a predetermined time after the dynamo-electric machine I2 is initially energized, in order to prevent false operations. Operation of the time delay relay 63 may be initiated by means of a starting relay 65, having an operating winding 66 disposed to be energized through a push-button switch 68.

In order to prevent false operations of the transfer control relay 60 when the speed of the mill is changed, auxiliary control means comprising, a time delay relay 10 having an operating winding H and an auxiliary control relay 12 having an operating winding '13, may be provided. The time delay relay 10 may be disposed for operation in response to actuation of either the raise or the lower push-button switches 46 and 41, so as to effect operation of the auxiliary control relay 72 to provide a holding circuit for the transfer relay 56, and prevent it from dropping out even if the value of the armature current of the dynamo-electric machine l2 should be momentarily reduced by reason of operation of the inertia compensating field circuit of the regulating generator 56.

The mill 20 may be started by operating the forward push-button switch 29 and closing the switch 21, whereupon the mill will run at threading speed. Operation of the dynamo-electric machine l2 as a reel motor, for example, in order to wind up the strip of material l5 proceeding through the mill from right to left may be initiated by operating the push-button switch 68 and closing the control switch 69. The starting relay 65 will thereupon be energized to connect one end of the regulating field winding 420 to the conductor 22 and the regulating generator 50 through contact members 6512 and 650. respec- 5 'The energizing circuit for the operating g 64 of'the time-delay relay 63' is interat contactrn'rhber65a; v I I i'dingly, the time dlaiy' relay 63-, Which-is in the-energized position; cannot return to the deenergited position for a p'recleterniii-ied time.

"this time theupper end of there'gu'latih 'field v'linding no is connected to the'c'on'cluc' to 2 3- through contact member 55a o'ithetrans- I i'er Witch-56;"Accordingly; the dynamo-electric in thi e 12 operates-'at a pressing-unass sted, as determined- 135 the settingof' the'threadin'g 'rheostat- 5,5, which will customarily be on the 'r'er'of 1()l-percent higherthan the Jeed'of tact member and connecting it to the regulating generator 56 through contact member 562'). The regulating generator 5&- the'reupon regulates the energization of the regulating field Winding 420 to maintain a substantially constant value or" armature current during normal operation.

' As the strip i5 Winds on the reel it, the speed of the reel motor gradually decreases. The counter E; MgFI'oi the reel motor decreases accordingly. The patternfieid of the regulating generator-S5 thereuponpredominates, and the re uiating genra't'or produces a regulating Volta hich is applied to the armature SBaof the r ostaimotor 33 so as to operate the rheostat such direc tion as to increase the excitation of the field winding 422) so as to restore the counter E;M. F'. to its "original value. This operation takes'place progressively as the diameter of the coil on the reel device increases during a'vqind operation. Should the-speed of the mill 2%? be increased by operating the raise push bu'tton switch lt, the inertia compensating field winding 5 will be energized cumulatively with respect to the pat;- tern'fieldwvinding 59c so'as t-o regulation for a higher vlue of a'rrnaixar current, and hence'c'ompcnsate for the inertia of tie-reel and other moving parts, and maintain a more nearly uniform value of tension in the strip. Should the speed of the mill be decreased by perating the lower push-button switch 3?, the inertia compensating field winding so; will be energized differential-1y with respect to the pattern field winding-523e, so that the regulatin generator 5% regulatesfor a lower value of armature current; (operation of the-push-button switch ii completes an energizing circuit for the time delay- 6 "The 'ciir'ecti'on'of the mill-2.113 mayibe reversed by operating;- the reversepush-ibutton switch 35 to: reverse'ithe' polarity-sci the field? winding-50 "of the main generator 25-. This TBVEISGSthB-COZQ:

nections between theregulating generator 35 and the .rheostat motor 33, so thatthe rheost-at motor 33 now operates inresponse .tothe continuously increasing: speed of the reel. l3 Yes :the strip i unwinds-therefrom'to actuatethe rhe'o'stat progressivelyi weaken the excitation of the field Winding t2 btof the dynamo seiectriornaching 1 2, which now operates as a draggenerator. The regulating generator 53 continue'seto regulate. for asubstaihtiiilly" constant value-oi armature our renttsirrcelin-this instance trip fit willbe already attached to the; reel ice, so that-t drag generator 12' will be initi'ail "inderio'a 1-, and transfer of the regulati i g neld winding 2 from the excitation conductors 22 and wilfnot be necessary? 4 7 From the above description and ac-compare drawing, it will be apparent that we have provided, in a simple and efiective manner, iortransferring from threading to a winding operation in a reel control system. By utiliain a' load respon sive transfer means, the transfer operation 1 be easily and effectively completed. The introduction of a time'delay in the transfer operation prevents false operation of the transfer means in response to the initial surge of armature current during startingand hence eliminates false op eration of the transfer means. By utilizing con trolmeans responsive to acceleration of the mill, false operations of the transfer means a result of reduction in the value of armature current during acceleration or deceleration ma be prevented.

Since certain changes be made in the above" described construction, and different enrhodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. 5 is intended thatall thematter in the above description and'shown in "the accompanying drawing shall be" considered as ilhist'ratix-e and not in limiting sense. We claim asour'inventionz' 1. A- controlfsyst'em for" a reel comprising, a dynamo-electric machine havi ll armature connected in driving relation with the reel, an additional dynamo-electric" machine having an armature connected in electrical" ene ferring relation with thearinature of s- V nio el ectric machine and "i sing citation means, a regulating generator onn'eeted to producea'regulating'voltagein ac dance Wi'th the armature current of' th e first m" ntioned electric n1 'ne," circuit mans connecting excitation" is hs tor energizat ion includ means'no'rmallyconnecting the" excitation to a'source' of electrical ener'g said reiay ne being operablein accordance with predetermi load conditions of, thedynaino-electric" machine to transfer the excitation means-t0 the regnla'tiz' generator, and timd'elay ineeins'operable to pr vent transfer of said excitation mec determined time after theexcitation n' rs v. c 2; In a control system for ajreel inotor an armature, a generator having exc means andanarmature connected to supply eiec trical energy to the ia'rrnatuie of the reel motor-{fa regulating generator responsive to tl'ie load on the motor, "relay means normally dispcedto connect the generator excitationmeans to "a source of electrical energy, s'ai'd rlay"means"being 'op- .3 7 V erable to connect the generator excitation jeans to the regulating generator in response to aprodetermined load on: the reel motor, starting means operable to initiate operation of the i eel motor, and time delay-means operable to 11 .ent operation of the relay-means for a predetermined time after operationf'of the starting means:-

3. In combination ii'lith a reel device torfwinding a strip of material which is disposed to be secured thereon while the device is running, a motor having an armature connected in-driving relation with the reel device, a generatdrrcon nected to supply electrical energy to the reel motor armature andtprovided with field elicitation means, a regulating generator dispe sed to energize the field excitation means to maintain a predetermined value of reel motor armature current, relay means normally connecting said field excitation means to a source of substantially constant excitation, said relay means being operable in response to a predetermined value of reel motor armature current to disconnect the field excitation means from said source and connect it to the regulating generator, and time delay means operable to render the relay means inoperative for a predetermined time after the reel motor is started.

4. In a drive for a reel device disposedf'to wind a strip of material, a' motor connected in'idriving relation with the reel device, a gene nected in electrical inergy transferrin v with the motor andf provided with a plurality of field excitation means, a master rheos tat operexcitation means, aregulating gen sponsive to the armature current 0 the reel motor and dispose field excitation means to maintain aifpredetermined value ofarrriature current, may means normally disposed to connect said aifother of r means operable when the master rhfeostat is 1 operated to prevent transfer of the *fleld excitation means. f i

5. The combination in a drive for a reei device disposed to wind a strip of material, or a motor having an armature connected in driving relation with the reel device and provided with a field winding, regulating means connected to energize the field winding in accordance with a differential between the speed of the strip and the speed of the reel motor, a generator having an armature connected in circuit relation with the armature of the reel motor and having a field winding, an additional regulating generator disposed to effect energization of the generator field winding to maintain a predetermined value of reel motor armature current, relay means normally connecting the generatorfield winding to a source of substantially constant voltage, said relay means being connected for operation in accordance with a predetermined value of reel motor armature current, and time delay means operable to prevent operation of the relay means for a predetermined time.

6. In a control system for a reel device disposed adiacent a roll stand to reel a strip of accuses material being worked on by the stand.- a dynamo-electric machine connected? in driving relation with the reel device having an armature and a field winding, regulating means disposed to eifect energization of the field" winding in accordance with a difiererrtial in? the speeds of the strip and the dynamo-electric machine, an additional dynamo-electric machine having an armature connected in circuit iielation with the armature of the first mentioned dynamoelectric machine and having a plurality of field windings, speed control means operable to vary the energization of one of said plurality of field windings, a regulating generator responsive to the armature current of the dynamo-electric machines disposed to produce a regfulating voltage for maintaining a substantially constant value of armature current, relay means normally connecting another of the field windings of the additional dynamo-electric machine" to a source of substantially constant voltage, said relay means being responsive to a predetermined value of armature current in the dynamo electric ma chines to connect said another field winding to the regulating generator, and control means operable when the speed control means is operated to prevent a change in the connections of said another field winding.

7. The combination in a drive for a reel device disposed to wind or unwind a strip of material, of a dynamo-electric machine connected in driv ing relation with the reel device toact as a reel motor or a drag generator, said dynamo-electric machine having an armature and a iield winding. an additional dynamoelectric machine having a plurality of field windings and an armature connected in circuit relation with the armature of the first-mentioned dynamo-electric machine, a master rheostat connected to effect variable energization of one of said windings to change the speed of the first'mentioned dynamo-electric machine, a regulating generator disposed to produce an excitation voltage for another of said field windings of the additional dynamo-electric machine in accordance with the armature current thereof, transfer means disposed to connect said another field winding to a source of control voltage, said transfer means being operable in response to predetermined values of armature current to transfer the connection of said an other field winding to the regulating generator, time delay means operable to prevent transfer of the connection of said winding for a predetermined time after the first-mentioned dynamoelectric machine is started, andcontrol means operable to prevent operation of the transfer means when the master rheostat is operated.

8. A control system comprising a reel motor, a generator connected in electrical enersy transi'erring' relation with the reel motor and having a control field winding, regulating means responsive to the value of reel motor armature cur rent, transfer means disposed to connect the controliield winding to a source of substantially constant voltage, said transfer means being operable in response to a predetermined value of time.

9. In a control system for a reel device disposed to accommodate a strip of material, a reel motor having a field winding and an armature disposed to be connected in driving relation with the reel device, rheostat means operable to effect variable energization of said field winding, generator means disposed to supply electrical energy to the armature of the reel motor and having a regulating field winding, a regulating generator responsive to the armature current of the reel {motor disposed to effect energization of the regulating field winding to maintain a predetermined value of armature current, said regulatinggenerator having an inertia compensatin'g field winding connected to vary the predetermined value when the rheostat means is operated, transfer means normally disposed to connect the regulating field winding to ,a source of control voltage, said transfer means being operable in response to a predetermined value of reel motor armature current to trans- AMOS J. WINCHESTER, JR. WILLIAM D. KING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Umansky et al. May 9, 1933 Michel Apr. 4, 1944 Auburn Oct. 19, 1948 Number 

